Saunton Sands, North Devon
This was our view for lunch earlier this week, from our table on the terrace at the Saunton Sands Hotel.
It’s a bit hazy. It didn’t help that the photo was taken on a phone and into the sun. But the day turned out warm, even hot when the sun came out. The plan, after lunch, was to go for a walk on the beach. But how far to the end? Ever the optimist I reckoned a mile. Mike’s estimate was three miles, “at least”. To settle the argument I consulted our amiable waiter. It was deceptive he said. You could tell he’d been called upon to arbitrate on this matter a time or two before. As it turned out, Mike was right. Oh dear.
Three miles out. And three miles back. We decided to walk as far as felt comfortable and then turn round.
.
I’d underestimated the heat of the day and overestimated the sogginess of the sand.
Most people on the beach were walking around barefoot. The rest had flip flops or sandals. The occasional pair of trainers.
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There was only one person on the beach in wellies
But if I hadn’t had my wellies I wouldn’t have been able to take this shot and still keep dry..
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Baggy Point, which we visited last year (here).
I was way down the beach with my feet in the surf..
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..alongside my new chum.
Apparently both of these photographs needed their horizons straightening on Photoshop.
It must have been the wine.
![Saunton Sands 013 Wm[1]](https://i1.wp.com/www.rustyduck.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Saunton-Sands-013-Wm1.jpg?resize=1000%2C669&ssl=1)
Walking on the sand was actually quite easy. It is so flat and well compacted that a Hercules transport aircraft once landed on the beach. There’s a photo in the hotel reception to prove it. And presumably it took off again safely too, since it’s no longer there.
The town barely visible on the distant hill is Westward Ho! The exclamation mark comes not from me, it’s part of the name. It was taken from the title of Charles Kingsley’s novel Westward Ho! (1855), which was set in nearby Bideford.
We had our sights set much nearer though. My eye was on that little black speck far left of the picture, just under the farthest dune, where the beach starts to turn away around a bend. Three miles. Would we make it?
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Ripples in the sand left by the retreating tide
Either that or the quilters have been out here in force.
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A mussel shell with barnacles
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Obviously a feather. But from what. Anybody know?
![Saunton Sands 012 Wm[1]](https://i1.wp.com/www.rustyduck.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Saunton-Sands-012-Wm1.jpg?resize=1000%2C669&ssl=1)
The black speck, revealed
Journey’s end. Except..
![Saunton Sands 014 Wm[1]](https://i1.wp.com/www.rustyduck.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Saunton-Sands-014-Wm1.jpg?resize=1000%2C669&ssl=1)
..the not insignificant matter of the 3 miles back
The white speck in this shot is the hotel. One foot in front of the other, it can be done.
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Watching me watching you
Buzzed by the marines. There’s an airbase at nearby Chivenor.
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And then this guy turns up.
It sounds just like a motorbike and apparently it’s called a monowheel. Seems logical.
The inner circle, with driver, somehow remains upright as the contraption is propelled along. It doesn’t look very comfortable though does it.. it surely won’t catch on.
No space for a pillion either. And by that time I could have done with a lift.
![Saunton Sands 019 Wm[1]](https://i2.wp.com/www.rustyduck.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Saunton-Sands-019-Wm1.jpg?resize=1000%2C645&ssl=1)
The walk took just over two hours in total. Quite a bit of me ached. As it happens, quite a bit of me still aches.
But I can safely declare that the cobwebs are gone.
Looks like a lovely walk! Don’t you love those pretty beach huts! Not sure about the mono wheel though. Where would you put your handbag and shopping?
Exactly Eleanor. And in my case, the plants from the nursery.
Great walk – loved the mono wheel and the wellies! Only a gardener!!!
It’s true, you can spot a gardener a mile off!
Thanks for sharing your afternoon and your lovely pictures – I remember a walk like that in Norfolk, but that was a pebbly beach, although at least I wasn’t wearing wellies… ps it could have been your gardening clogs…. 🙂
Funnily enough, I was thinking while walking on the beach that the clogs might have been a better bet. Although that would have excluded paddling.
Six miles is a long way. Six miles in wellies on sand feels like a very long way I’m sure. I love what the black speck turned out to be.
It was easier than I thought it would be. The sand being so flat and compacted really helped. Above the high tide mark was a different story. You can see the softer sand around the ‘black speck’. Six miles in that would have been impossible.
Love the monowheel! It looks so serene and peaceful Jessica (sans the helicopter of course), a beautiful part of the world.
The further out we went the quieter it got. It was lovely just to be able to hear the waves and the gulls calling.
You have depicted beautifully what I think of as quite, mellow, gentle days as we head off into autumn. The monocycle is a strange device, but looks fun.
We are trying to take advantage of these warm mellow days while we have them and the beach made a change from the usual garden haunts. Long may they continue.
I’ve never heard of a monowheel but kind of like the look of it. Perhaps a riding substitute for me? Gorgeous photos, especially the one of you. Easy there – almost a profile. Could the feather be from a juvenile Herring Gull perhaps? They’re brown and white…..see last post for many pics! Looks like you had a really lovely day out. I’d like to go there soon I think – I have a few cobwebs of my own. x
The monowheel might be very uncomfortable on the moor, even with the mountain bike tyre it looked to have. The tail feathers of a juvenile Herring Gull certainly look similar.
Blimey a six mile walk would see me requesting dinner as well! Two hours is a good time.
Good point. Although as it was my idea to walk the beach I think it would be me who would be buying..
I like the look of the monowheel- if my boys see a picture they will want it for Christmas :o)
:
It looks lethal! At least on the sand it would be a soft landing.
I’d love to live close enough to the beach to visit regularly and walk along the shore. I’ve never been to Saunton Sands but I’ve been to Westward Ho!
It’s the first time we’ve done it and I’ll do it again. It’s not on the doorstep but near enough for a relaxed day out.
Glad you have been de-webbed. Nothing like a bit of brisk ozone for that job. Love those beach huts. X
The beach huts are great aren’t they. So cheerfully painted. And a snip at £15 per day.
Wonderful photos and It sounds like a wonderful walk, even if you do ache afterwards.
My eldest son would never go on the beach barefoot, it was always little trunks and his red wellies 🙂
The wellies turned out to be quite a good solution in the end, given that we hadn’t taken towels or anything else for drying off and getting rid of sand. Not next time though, next time I need something better suited to climbing the dunes!
Herring Gull feather. Well done. Lovely pics as always from you.
Thanks Jill.
I would love to be able to walk on the beach easily….you certainly captured some beautiful and unusual sights.
Thanks Donna. We don’t get nearly as much value out of living here as we should, there never seems to be enough time. When we make time I never regret it.
It sounds like the trip has done you the world of good. Love that monowheel on the beach 😉 .
It’s good to have a break from time to time, it does leave you feeling refreshed. Even more so with the benefit of all that sea air.
You live in such a beautiful part of the world Jessica ….. it must be lovely to be able to walk along a beach whenever the mood takes you ….. the best way to blow the cobwebs away…. think that the wellies might have made the walk a little more difficult { a bit like soldiers with their backpacks !! { was it a penance !! } } Sorry, I digress ….. you take the most wonderful photographs … have you ever been on a photographic course ? XXXX
Mike went on a day with a professional photographer many moons ago and I’ve learnt from him. Other than that it’s trial and error. And taking many many shots on the basis that one of them will come good!
I thought the army had turned up to rescue you from your wellies! Beautiful photos of a great walk. I don’t know what bird that feather belongs to, I’ve seen a lot of herring gull chicks but don’t recall their feathers looking like that…maybe one of the waders?
The way those guys were peering down at us from the helicopter I did wonder if we were about to be whisked off! Perhaps they were nervous of Mike and his camera. Looking at pictures on google, I think it may be a lower tail feather. Put ‘juvenile herring gull’ into google images and you can see what I mean, especially the one about four rows down from Edward Johnes photography.
What super photos you took of your wonderful walk, I can imagine the cobwebs will be well and truly blown away! Love the mussel shells, very artistic, and the sea washed driftwood, I would have been tempted to bring the driftwood home, with just a bit of carving and smoothing, I’m sure something would have emerged. I agree about the juvenile herring gull, the primary feathers are striped brown in a young one.
I was on the lookout for driftwood, but that one was enormous.. and three miles from the car!
As we say up here…..if it wisnae fur yir wellies, whir wid yi be? Lovely shots Jessica and it was terribly nice of you to take us on your walk with you.
Wouldn’t mind a wee go on that monowheel, really just to say I’ve did that – I kind of agree with you that it doesn’t look terribly comfortable.
I would totally agree about the wellies! Och aye. So glad you guys are staying in the UK family, it wouldn’t be the same without you.
My sense of balance is precarious enough as it is. I fear the outcome of a trial run on the monowheel would be very predictable for me..
I have developed muscles on my muscles in my calves, with all the beach walking we have been doing in Berwick! Fabulous photos – of course I love the “arty” one of the mussel shell. My vote is for a gull feather.
It has to be good for us doesn’t it, all this walking. And the fresh sea air.
Looks wonderful. I’m glad you had something to aim for – I can imagine starting out and the elusive end always being just around the corner. Love the quilted sand.
This beach is just like that, where it starts to go round the corner and every step reveals a little more of what is on the other side. But three miles out was quite enough, I don’t walk as much as I should and am still testing my limits. And there was no way back other than walk!
I love a bracing walk by the sea, but not a winter walk when your brains are blown inside out! I used to live right by the sea, and I really do not miss those howling winter gales!!! Lovely photos by the way. Glad you enjoyed yourself.
I have to confess, I’m a fair weather walker in the main. I do like to see dramatic seas and skies, but it tends to be a quick dash out and back from the warmth of the car!
Thank you Jessica for these attractive pictures. It sounds like a very pleasant walk.
Possibly about a mile too long for my current state of fitness. I did rather wear myself out. But it was very pleasant as well and definitely something to do again.
Saunton Sands are one of our Very Best Places, I absolutely love it there. I’d like to live down that way, it’s a beautiful part of the world. I’m glad you had such a good walk. I shall ask the biggest boy about the feather, he’s our bird expert. Whatever it is it’s exquisite. Glad you had such a lovely break. CJ xx
It is beautiful isn’t it, the beach is so long and wide and with all those dunes behind it which I haven’t even started to explore yet.
Jessica you have some classic photos there which would happily grace the walls of a gallery ! Gorgeous walk I imagine !
Thanks Jane. We need a break occasionally don’t we and it felt like miles from anywhere at the end of that beach.
Thanks for letting me tag along on your stroll, it was almost like being there, so beautiful – I miss the sea, I actually haven’t seen a beach since leaving Norway 15 years ago 🙂
The Norwegian coastline is something I’d like to see too, very dramatic I would imagine!
Great shots ~ felt like I could reach right out and touch that beach sand !
Oh I love a good set of Wellies any day.
Glad the cobwebs are gone and your feeling better.
Be Well,
Willow
Thanks Willow. My wellies have done me proud, I live in them outside in winter. It’s the first time I’ve taken them beach paddling though.. 🙂
Loved your beach photos they are such great fun. The piece of driftwood really had gorgeous detail.
It looks like it’s been there a long time doesn’t it, so smooth to touch.
Wonderful, Yessica. I love pictures from water, whereever it is. I think, I would wear Wellis – because I hate the sand after goiling on it in my shoes.
Lilith
Sand does get everywhere! It was blowing around quite a bit that day because there was a strong breeze.
I hope you are still enjoying your holiday in Scotland.
At least you didn’t have to dodge too many sunbathers on the way…
There were quite a few, but it’s amazing how they all seem to stick to one place. Near to cafes and loos perhaps. We didn’t have to walk too far out to get the beach more or less to ourselves.
What a wonderful beach to walk on. Of course it is the factoring in of the walk back you have to consider – 6 miles is a long way in wellies no wonder your legs ached – what a super way to blow the cobwebs away:)
6 miles is a long way for me in any circumstances, I was quite chuffed that I did it even if I was worn out for the rest of the day. It makes me think that I should really keep it up, a great way to get fitter.
there is nothing like a walk on the beach to blow the cobwebs away. I’m not sure which bird the feather is from, but how beautiful it is. Super images x
Thanks Annie. Your blog is one of those that inspires me to get out and enjoy our natural environment more. It is so easy to forget about what we have around us in the headlong rush of our daily lives.
Lovely photos of a beautiful place – I would have been flagging too after that walk – the return trip is always the worst.
Thanks Elaine. It was the last mile… the finish line didn’t seem to be getting any closer at all!
nothing better than a beach to yourself!!!! it would have taken me at least two if not three times longer……i’m such a beach scavenger. (love all the shots, but i think the colorful huts are my favorite!!!!)
I walked along the high tide line for a bit, but very little had been washed up. Many shells.. but I have loads of them already!
The feather looks as though it could come from a bird of prey to me,
That’s a thought Sue..
Hi, just catching up, I have been reading, just not commenting. It is so beautiful Jessica, not sure that I fancy that monowheel thing though, looks a bit dangerous to me!! xx
Perhaps it’s easier if you’re used to riding a motorbike, but I don’t think I’d have much success with the monowheel either! Glad you had a good holiday.
The beach looks absolutely amazing. But I wouldn’t fancy 6 miles in wellies. You did well.
Wonderful photos, I almost feel that I’ ve been there myself.
Next time I will put a broader selection of footwear in the car boot! Thanks Chloris.
Lovely pictures, especially like the beach huts!
Pretty aren’t they. Each one different, but my favourite was the one with the red door.
Now that looks the perfect way to spend a sunny autumn day. I loved the monowheel and the beach huts….at least you walked your lunch off….hope you made up for that by having a rather lovely pudding!xxx
The best – salted caramel tart. Yummy!
Well done for walking so far after a good lunch. If the weather was more dependable you can’t beat an Englsih beach!
There are some gorgeous beaches in Devon. I tend to prefer them out of season when it’s a lot quieter. But of course then the weather is even less dependable!
What a lovely walk and great photos too. We love Saunton, although little man prefers Croyde (the next bay I think) for a bit of surfing. I think you did extremely well to walk six miles in wellies!
Yes, Croyde is the next bay and it’s beautiful there too. There were surfers out at Saunton when the tide was coming in but despite the strong breeze it wasn’t exactly rollers!
Hi. Jessica….
Love your wellies!
And….
I love that you answer every ding dang comment!
Kudos to you!
Cheers!
Linda :o)
Answering comments is the best bit! Thanks Linda.
It looks like a perfect walk to me, and not toooo long … the whippets would have been in heaven, but I’m thinking that may be a dog free beach?
There were dogs on the beach and they were loving it, really racing around and splashing in the surf. I vaguely remember a sign suggesting there were dog and dog-free zones.
As always they are fantastic pictures and location. We don’t get beaches like that around here! What a shame you couldn’t get a lift on the way back! Sarah x
It’s a bit of a drive to get to that beach, but worth it. So refreshing to spend an afternoon by the sea.
Aaaah, ditto, did just the same thing on Tuesday…..but from Sandsend to Whitby; (well….halfway anyway and then to the glorious Sandside cafe for a frothy coffee, fresh crab salad and apple pie and custard!) Can’t be beaten!
There are some cracking beaches up there as well. Feels good to have a break now and then doesn’t it, especially in this perfect weather. Batteries recharged.
I’m exhausted just reading about that walk, but it is a lovely area, and you got some great photos. I often have to straighten photos, I seem to have a natural tilt to the way I hold a camera – any camera – and knowing this and trying to ensure I check before clicking doesn’t seem to help much. Just one of many reasons why I would never make it as a pro!
The same could well be true of me and a camera… it is reassuring to know that it may not have been the wine!